In view of the Covid-19 pandemic, climate change and other global challenges, understanding the work of transnational institutions such as the European Union is more important than ever. Against this backdrop, ifa (Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen) in cooperation with EUNIC is publishing a revised edition of the simulation game "Giving Europe a Home", first published in 2017. The game is aimed particularly, but by no means exclusively, at young people and offers a playful way to explore decision-making processes and policy development in the European Union, using the example of cultural policy.

ifa’s Secretary General Ronald Grätz describes how the simulation game contributes to a better understanding of the EU’s mechanisms:

People - children and adults alike - learn and understand the world through play. In an entertaining way, games simulate situations and develop solution scenarios, show ways to success and reduce complexity. People love to slip into new roles and experience a change of perspective in the process. Understanding Europe requires experience that the interests of states are at play. In combination, these experiences can lead to the recognition of the potential of a post-national model for the real success of a European UNION. The game serves to acquire this experience and knowledge.

The players gain an insight into the interaction of the European institutions and the significance and work of the states and bodies within them. In doing so, they can reflect and experience how cultural policy is put into practice and what potential lies in the cultural diversity of the EU.

At the same time, the simulation game generates an awareness of the richness and diversity of European cultures and the great potential of culture as an element of the EU's external relations. With the idea of creating a "common European house", the vision of Giving Europe a Home is symbolically put into practice. How and in what form this can happen depends on the hands and minds of the simulation game’s participants.

The game is currently available in German and English and can be downloaded free of charge. Furthermore, it can be translated into other languages without copyright or licence fees - in line with the goal of inspiring as many people as possible to participate in the idea of Europe.

Download the game at: ifa.de/en/simulation-game-eunic

For those interested in playful and interactive approaches to engaging with the issues at stake in cultural relations you might also want to take a look at 'The Gamified Workshop Toolkit: Values of Solidarity' developed in the framework of RESHAPE by the Flanders Arts Institute. Also look out for playful tools to explore the topic of fair collaboration from EUNIC in the coming months.